Towards the Pool (D2)
@Searat

---

As Edward progressed through the cavern, following the scent back towards the nest he had been born in, he began to see other monsters following the same pattern as himself and staying far away from the different sources of chaos within the cavern. The bonfire was always given a wide berth, because fire was frightening to the beasts and the goblins were always numerous around it, but now even the creatures that made their dens on its outskirts were staying well away from the battle happening there. It seemed like a few monsters were making a journey away from the darker corners of the cave as well, near that bunch of lizards and now two dead goblins.

It seemed, in their frantic flights, that these monsters were also following their need for sustenance. Many of them had already fed, in the crazy free-for-all of early morning, so now it was time to satisfy their thirst. As a result, Ed found himself to be only one of many creatures in the vicinity of the Pool.

And if he were so inclined, a perfect hunting opportunity presented itself to him. A Pixie was walking towards the pool, all alone--and the fact that it was walking seemed unusual. But then it became clear that this creature had been injured--one of its wings had nearly been torn off by something, and its body bore several light wounds. Even more telling, it walked as if it were exhausted--maybe that meant it had used up some of its magical powers?

---

Joining Another Party (D2)
@Kazemitsu

---

The blue slime burbled in affirmation as Asura explained himself. Work together, instead of competing with each other. Find and eat bigger creatures. Though the blue slime was a simple creature, she understood this well enough despite its newness. If it failed, she could always just go on her own again.

You now have an Ally! Momma Slime has joined your party!

Momma Slime didn’t seem quite as adept at changing her shape as Asura, but she managed to imitate him well enough that he wasn’t too far ahead of her by the time they got moving away from the ledge. As they rolled along the ground, Momma Slime sucking up bits of moss here and there to create circular prints instead of an unbroken trail, Asura would soon have a clearer view of just what kind of creatures they were approaching.

There were three Fanged Lizards, two of which looked rather unique and one of which had a rawhide strip around its neck. There were two pixies peeking out from behind rocks, and a Wisp who seemed a little wobbly. Then there were the two goblins, but both of them had been killed now. And it looked like one of those Lizards, in fact, was familiar! It was Ash, that one Asura had met earlier with that other group of former humans…

[[You’re now in the “Nearby the Pool” group. Edward the Dire Rat isn’t too far away, both groups are about the same distance from the Pool at different angles. Jason is also at the Pool. The Bonfire is visible in the distance but is further away. Interact with the others if you’d like, or if you’re unsure you can wait until I update for them.]]

Ardur The Pixie

To Valhalla >>>> Fight to Survive /// day 8 // Morning

Ardur almost accomplished what he wanted to do. The hat he grabbed onto did blind the goblin but it also slung him toward the bonfire. The pixie just thought it was for the best, plopping into the fire ball would have been stupid and could have killed him. So Ardur got up to a knee and looked around at what was happening. It seemed that crispy had been paralyzed by a lizard and was in a kneeling position with most of his weak spots covered.

There were a few other goblins around, but they all seemed to otherwise be engaged except one who was holding some sort of jagged bone sword. The female goblin seemed to be heading towards crispy as the same lizard began to come back toward crispy once more. Again Ardur hesitated, what could he do? He knew he couldn’t kill anyone here but there had to be something he could do. Suddenly an old memory came to mind from when he was a child. He had gotten into a few fights protecting others from bullies and was getting a talking to by a few teachers.

One of these teachers did give him a bit of advice he was glad he didn’t forget. “When you fight, fight to survive or protect a third party. Not for glory, honor, money, or fame. Fighting to survive is dirty, you do what you have to, to neutralize the threat. But that’s it, once it’s neutralized get away. Once they give up, stop fighting. Because then you’re the aggressor, then you become the bad guy.” Honestly he wasn’t sure why this memory came to mind, but he would follow it. He knew he couldn’t kill crispy, but he could render him nearly useless.

And with that Ardur grabbed a small sharp stick from near the bonfire, maybe the size of a long toothpick and charged for the pint sized paralyzed pyro. With the other goblin distracted by the lizard and his shield slowly fading. Ardur sort of ran with his wings helping to get under the goblins head as fast as he could and hopefully gouge out or severely damage the goblins good eye. Effectively rendering their adversary blind so that with him still being alive might be able to help them later on. Ardur could only hope that the goblins only respected power and wouldn’t support the goblin once he was crippled.

@Lucius Cypher
@Zeroth
@floodtalon
@CriticalHit

@Zeroth @Kazemitsu @Guy0fV4lor

It was an uneventful trip. He had seen a number of monsters making a smart decision to move away from the areas where the conflicts were. Though he had taken notice of the number of monsters making their way to the small pool of water. Ed remembered this pool, it was near the nest. He could remember it from yesterday. The news had made Ed smile with relief. He could have went straight back to the nest but, as nature demands it, he needed to drink water. Ed had not drank anything since last night and his...meal from the free-for-all only made it so that he was more thirsty than before.

He then spot a small humanoid with wings. It was wounded, downed, exhausted, and all alone. Ed's dire rat brain deemed the wounded humanoid to be the perfect hunting opportunity and gave Ed the desire to kill this creature. Ed slowly stalked the humanoid, his instinct to pounce on the creature and kill it was gnawing at the back of his head. Ed was to act upon his body's desire until he saw a glance of it's almost human appearance. In a fraction of a second, the horrific images and words from his nightmare resurfaced in his mind; causing Ed to wince. He refused to take another step forward and willed himself to stop stalking his 'prey' and let it go on without question.

'It has no quarrel with me and I have no need or reason to kill it.' He thinks to himself before reaching the edge of the pond and seeing his reflection. It did not show his human face he was so accustomed to. Instead, the water reflected back the face of a young dire rat with bluish fur with amber colored eyes. 'I'm not a monster...right?' Ed thought to himself, gazing deep into his own reflection.

---

@Zeroth

Jason winced as the mana orb tore through him.

WARNING! Your HP is low!

However, before the wisp could finish him off, the stone tore through it, leaving a gaping hole in It's body.

Skill Rank Up! Stone Shot I > Stone Shot II!
Earth Magic Damage Increased.
Speed Increased.
Piercing Damage Increased.
MP Consumption Increased.
As an Active Spell Skill, you can use any rank of this Spell you possess. You can fire (3) shots max at Rank I, and (2) shots max with MP leftover at Rank II. Currently you only have enough MP left for 1 shot at Rank I.

LEVEL UP! Your experiences have culminated into new power! You are now Level 3! You gain Skill Points you may distribute as you please!
Unspent Skill Points: 5
Current Skills:
Physical Damage Resistance I (1.0)
Warcry I (1.2)
Stone Shot II (2.0)
Rock Spire I (1.2)
Tremor Sense I (1.45)
<UNUSABLE> Soil Manipulation (0.5) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Faster (0.3) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Swift Swimmer (0.1) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Aqua Sphere (0.7) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Alert (0.2) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Limited Shapeshift (0.6) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Smash (0.5) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Cleave (0.2) [CURRENTLY INCOMPATIBLE] <UNUSABLE> <UNUSABLE> Blood Drain (0.5) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Taboo (0.3) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Muffle (0.1) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Crafting (0.1) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Material Analysis (0.8) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Mental Resistance (0.5) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Magic Resistance (0.4) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Agriculture (0.2) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Plant Analysis (0.1) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Acid Spit (0.5) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Bounce (0.1) <UNUSABLE>
<UNUSABLE> Charisma (0.1) <UNUSABLE>

He had leveled up again!!!

Jason didn't have time to marvel at his achievement, he needed to get his health back up before another threat reared its head. Without so much as a second thought, the slime shot over to what was left of the thinning green herbs, taking only half of each leaf until his health was full once more.

Now taking the time to look over the fruit of his labor, one skill in particular seemed to carry a great deal of potential. The now very intrigued slime place all of his hard earned points into [Soil Manipulation], hoping in the future it may garner him some form of terrakinesis.

Strolling over to the corpse of the dead wisp Jason began to poke through its ruined remains, looking for whatever could be the source of their magical power. After rooting around for a minute or two, he slurped up the wisp, and moved over to the lizard. At this point, the lizard was increadiy weak, and near the point of death. Rolling around behind it, Jason carefully climbed on top of the lizard's back, and stopped when he neared It's head.

Extending a single pseudopod, Jason touched the top of the dying reptile's head. "Relax, this will all be over soon... Soon... there will be no more pain. Just rest... Be calm." he whispered as he began to channel [Tremor Sense I] into it's head, carefully making small changes to the spell's 'frequency' in an attempt to reach into the lizard's fading mind.

Jason continued to soothe the lizard, as well as continue the experiment until it finally died. Sliding off It's back, he pushed the lizard's corpse off of the spike before sucking out whatever blood remained in It's body through the hole left by the [Rock Spire].

Grabbing the tail, be began to drag the lizard over to the other slime. Extending a single pseudopod he put his 'hand' on the 'shoulder' of his newfound (potential) comrade, "Will you join me?"

---

With satisfying effect his shot struck the goblin square in the chest and knocked him off balance, causing him to miss a kick on the other lizard. Reoth watched as the goblin burned his hands as he angrily attempted to wipe the fluid from himself, clearly distracted. It was during its distraction that the other lizard took its opportunity, leaping upon the green humanoid and tearing into him, It was quick, Reoth assumed the goblin was already hurt, and it fell to the ground dead.

Feeling that it was now safe to approach he began to make his way over to the other lizard, only for it to take off in one direction. That was when Reoth noticed what looked to be a pixie, seemingly very malnourished, and a wisp confronting another lizard with a strap around its neck. He paused and watched the first lizard leap between them as though trying to stop any conflict and listen to it, well, her speak. English.

...Was she like him? Someone reincarnated by the Demon King?

The malnourished pixie flew over to the corpses of the goblins, hesitantly picking at parts to eat before simply digging in out of hunger. Reoth calmly crawled up to stand near the dead goblins, looking at the pixie for a couple moments before returning his attention to the trio to see what would happen.

The Pool (D1)
@Bishop

---

Consuming the one herb he still had restored Lorek to full HP. His MP wasn’t quite full, but using Lesser Force didn’t seem to use up as much energy, so he could probably still cast his offensive spells if need be. Unfortunately, however, it was starting to look like he was out of resources--the cave had gotten so dark, in the deep depths of night by now, that even the glowing Mana Crystals were almost impossible to see. And by that same token, he couldn’t find anymore herbs on the ground--or at least, none that looked full grown or capable of providing more than a tiny morsel, which probably would not heal him enough to be worthwhile.

That pixie had cost him his last few resources, it seemed. What a wretched creature--and indeed it was, for Lorek didn’t even know the whole story behind the little fairy’s life. It had collided with Danny, and lashed out at him in anger, but then been simply ignored. As if it wasn’t worth the trouble. For a creature as emotionally unstable as a pixie, being treated in such a way would certainly bring up some negative emotions. Then it had mistaken another Wisp for its previous target, adding some fresh fuel onto that hateful fire. But Lorek had simply cursed it--multiple times, in fact, adding his own malice to it layer by layer--and then he had crushed it. Like a bug.

Oh how wretched such a soul must be.

As Lorek hovered near the ground to search for herbs, something in the pool splashed. He couldn’t see what it was, as the surface of the water had become an inky black without any light to see by, a deep abyss into the unknown. But most of the fish in there had been small...was it perhaps that bigger, shadowy shape, lurking near the depths?

“Uuunnnngggh…”

There was the sound of something dragging itself across the ground. Although...rather than a creature of some sort, with limbs and such, it sounded more like...a bag? A wet, lumpy bag? Something...squishy?

Out of the darkness, something crunched. It sounded like bones popping, either out of joint...or perhaps back into place?

Then a bloody mask of sagging flesh lunged out of the shadows to claw at Lorek. That Pixie was not done yet.

---

The Pool (D2)
@Guy0fV4lor

---

Skill Gain: Soil Manipulation I
An Earth Elemental Magic Spell. At this Rank, you may move up to 5 pounds of loose soil (sand, dirt, and powdered minerals, but not gravel, pebbles, or anything made of larger fragments) freely within a 10 foot radius around your body. Using this soil to create a shape or exert a larger amount of force consumes more MP, and takes 30 seconds at minimum. At this rank, created shapes cannot consist of more than one part, or be more complex than quadrilateral structures. At this rank, created shapes cannot change the quality of the soil (sharper, harder, etc) nor its color or texture.

Jason couldn’t seem to find any specific organ or anything of that sort within the second Wisp’s body that had a clear indication of magic within it. His attempt to do something with Tremor Sense to the Fanged Lizard didn’t really seem successful, though it gave him a very clear picture of the inside of the creature’s head. Its brain was rather small and, compared to pictures he had probably seen at least once of a human’s brain in the Old World, somewhat underdeveloped. Maybe this was where the term “reptile brain” came into play. Its two fangs and many other teeth were arranged in such a way inside its jaw that the creature could be nothing if not a carnivore, and its poison sacs did not seem to be located inside its head like they were for most snakes and poisonous reptiles back home.

As Jason dragged the dead lizard back towards the other slime--which had now finished its meal and began to undulate warily as Jason came back--he reached out to try and touch the other monster.

And when he heard its response, he did not actually hear it. Much like the System, it was inside his head.

Me not know not me say. Me less hungry but hungry. Not me hurt me not me hungry?

Slowly, the other slime lurched slightly towards the dead lizard...

Asura was trucking along, rolling towards the greatest amount of hub bub that was occurring in the cave. Lots of yells, screeches, and hollers. As he moved he was observing his surroundings and going slow enough that Momma Slime could keep up with him. She didn't seem to have mastered the Limited Shapeshift I yet. But she was developing proper speech thanks to being in contact with his mind. As he rolled he saw a unique opportunity. A dire rat was starring at itself but it looked fully healthy.

Nearby however was a Pixie, clearly wounded and it had no energy left to fly given it was walking. Or maybe its wings were fucked. Given his limited knowledge of insect-like wings it was better to just put it out of its misery. So he rolled by the contemplative Dire Rat, Ed, and rolled right over the pixie. His mass hitting it like a truck and absorbing it on his way by. Even if it was alive it wouldn't be for long, a flexing of his liquid self and he'd try to crush its skull to give it the fastest and least painful death he could provide.

Asura's movements were clear to Mother Slime behind him, he avoided the dire rat. It was obvious that it was different from the other rats she had probably encountered given the fact it hadn't attacked easy prey like that pixie. But just in case he called back to her. "Don't attack rat. Different targets." He said, she could understand speech he hoped, not just slime thoughts.

---

@Zeroth

The fact that slimes communicated mentally took Jason by surprise. Though (normal) slimes are mentally pathetic, did they perhaps hold some form of hidden psychic potential?

Understanding the slime was hungry, and seeing it begin to move toward the lizard corpse, Jason immediately pulled it away from the other slime. Extending a pseudopod slowly, he focused his thoughts within himself, and then imagined pushing them through his pseudopod, and into the other slime. However, since Jason was not yet confident in his telepathic abilities, he spoke anyway: "Not Me hungry. Not Me wait. Me share food with Not Me."

Moving the Lizard's dead body away from the hungry slime, Jason took his rock and continuously swung it with all his strength at where it's leg connected to it's body until said leg finally came off. He then repeated the process again until he held two legs in his hands. For a moment, Jason channeled his [Tremor Sense I] into the lizard's full body, trying to get a brief look at it's organ structure.

Turning to the other slime, Jason carefully pushed the legs into the other slime as he spoke once more: "Not Me strong. Me strong. Not Me Me together VERY strong. Not me Me together eat BIG. Not me join Me?"

The Pool (D2)
@Guy0fV4lor

---

Using his Tremor Sense as a kind of impromptu MRI, Jason was able to find the position of an unusual organ within the creature’s body, but other than that it seemed to be a normal, if significantly larger, lizard…

The other slime accepted the legs with gusto, but it didn’t seem to understand the significance behind such a gesture. As Jason conversed with it, it seemed to draw back somewhat from his touch. It still retained a bare minimum of contact, however, in order to respond.

Not Me many idea Me not know. Almost too much. But eat Big? Big like--

BIG COMING VERY BIG HURT ME ME GO!

This time the other slime did jerk away, and quickly began flopping away. It wasn’t clear to Jason at first, until he heard the rolling noises behind him. Was that red slime Asura? But who--or what--was the big blue monstrosity behind him!?

[[You, Ed, and Asura will now be in a new Party unless you just ignore them. They're close enough you can see/hear most of what they're doing.]]

---

Flame of Chaos (D2)
@Old Amsterdam@Lucius Cypher@King Cosmos@CriticalHit@Gardevoiran@floodtalon@ReusableSword

---

Skill Gain! Mana Slice I!
A slashing wave of projected mana--essentially, a Mana Orb that has gained the Slashing property. It consumes the same amount of MP as a Mana Orb spell of equal rank, and moves faster, but its damage is split between Slash and Non-Elemental Magic. Resistances and Defenses of the target will apply for each type.

Mourningstar made use of her new skill to send a wave of magic, shaped like a crescent moon, at Goblin #3 as he hefted his rock one more time. As she cut open his throat, he dropped the rock and pressed both hands to the wound with a gurgle. He began to stumble away, not dead but not able to take his hands away from his throat for the moment. At the same time Mourningstar felt Oberon’s Shield I envelop her--which worked out well, as at that moment Orchid’s torch came flying through the air. The flames and heavy wood smashed into the Wisp, once again dropping her to the ground. The Shield held against the actual impact--but not against the flames! With an angry pop and hiss they washed over Mourningstar’s body, the heat unbearable even for those few seconds.

WARNING! Your HP is low!

While this was happening, Rain was getting to her feet. Oberon offered her healing, at the same time attempting to analyze her even though his skill, like Mourningstar's, wasn't entirely suitable.

You used Magic Analysis II!
Skill effectiveness reduced to 30%. This is a Monster. You have scanned this type of Monster before, effectiveness increased to 35%.

Fanged Lizards are capable of Magic. This Lizard has one unusable semi-magically oriented skill, and one unusable spell skill. This one is unusual, like Orochi.

Digbie, on the other hand, showered the Dire Rat in sparks that began to catch upon its fur. As it smoldered with one of the most rank smells one could imagine, he hefted it with a battlecry and let the disgusting corpse fly.

On the other side of the battlefield, Ardur grabbed a wooden splinter and attacked the downed Crispy. The Goblin had screwed his eyes tightly shut, but the pixie managed to stab his bugsticker through the thin flesh. As he did so, however, the flame-touched goblin spasmed wildly--had he already overcome the paralysis!?

“ARRGH! CRISPY GONNA MAKES YOU ALL PAY!”

The caster shoved his green palm at Ardur, whom he could only detect because of the direction of that last attack thanks to the damage to his eye. Still, however, his Fireball was still fully functional. Ardur was too close to avoid him--luckily, the Pixie still had his Shield up from before. As the magical projectile hit him point-blank, he was blown backwards head over heels. He could feel the heat as if on the other side of a window, unpleasant to say the least but not harming his flesh. Once it was done, though, as his shield faded his grass and spidersilk clothes began to catch the embers…!

Meanwhile, Digbie’s projectile crashed into the goblin with the pickaxe just as he was getting ready to attack the others again. Mourningstar now tackled the same goblin, knocking the green demihuman to its rump. Rain lunged at it a moment later, biting and tearing with her fangs, and Oberon fired a Mana Orb at it from a distance. In seconds, the group had brought down the first of this motley green gang.

Goblin #1, however, was still in the fray. He had seen Digbie throw the rat, and now turned to the other youngling with his Gnarled Stick raised in both hands.

“What you doin’, you dumb!? You s’posed ta kill da OTHER monstas!”

[[Orchid's Target for her attack is Orochi, I'm gonna let Critical respond to her attempted sword thrust on his own.]]

---

Nearby the Pool (D2)
@Rune_Alchemist@ghastlyInc@CollectorOfMyst@Duthguy@Kangutso

---

As Naji yelled even louder at the lizard, it paused again--but not as long as last time. By the time it got ready, however, Ash burst onto the scene. At her threatening display, the leashed Lizard drew back under one of the nearby rocks, but it did manage to hiss back. It kept its mouth open, as if emphasizing its fangs, making itself look more threatening. As Ash stopped looking directly at it to address Danny, it narrowed its jaws somewhat, but still kept up a drawn out, low volume hiss as its slitted eyes darted between all the unusual monsters around it…

As Naji bit into the goblin, smelly, bloody, and raw, he found the last bit of his strength helped along by desperation. Skin tore, muscle was pulped by his chewing, and fresh, hot blood spilled over his tongue. A thoroughly disgusting experience, but there was nothing even left in his stomach to vomit. And after the first few mouthfuls, the incessant beeping in his head seemed to stop...he still felt horrible, but for the moment it was tolerable. And the more he ate, the better it seemed to get, but just how much of this could he really stand?

And why was yet another Fanged Lizard approaching to eye him with that unreadable face?

As Reoth approached the starving pixie, he could hear what was going on between the Wisp and the other Lizard, which apparently seemed to be leading this “pack.” They were...speaking? Like him?

Meanwhile, Danny's attempt to observe the leashed lizard only told him what he could obviously see. It was a lizard--normal by most standards, no unique markings or colors like Ash and some of the others he had seen--and it was of the usual size for the monstrous reptiles. It looked like it might have taken a beating from the goblins at some point, but those scars on its scales had healed or been replaced by new skin. The leash around its neck was simply a rawhide strip, probably made from the skin of some other creature the goblins had slain.

Then a noise dinged in his head.

Your observations have granted you a new skill!

Skill Gain: Monster Analysis I!
At this rank, gain basic biological information through active observation of another Monster.

---

Pool Party (D2)
@Searat

---

As Ed’s rational mind and caring spirit won the battle over his bestial instincts, he refused to attack the human-like Pixie. Taking a good long look at himself in the pool, he wondered who he really was in this new world--just a Dire Rat, a monster like all the others? Or could he, once more, be the person he wanted to be?

Only Ed could make that decision. Only he could choose which path he would follow--man, or beast? But despite this uncertainty, he had at least made the choice to spare an innocent creature. He could, perhaps, take solace in the fact that this poor Pixie might live, and overcome its suffering--

And then a rapidly rolling red ball of gelatin flattened it.

[[You, Asura, and Jason will become a new Party unless you all just ignore each other. They’re both within sight of you and you can hear/see most of what they’re doing.]]

---

Joining A Pool Party (D2)
@Kazemitsu

---

Hitting the Pixie was disturbingly similar to hitting an animal--like say, a squirrel or opossum--with one’s vehicle. A familiar crunch and everything.

With the dead pixie slowly digesting inside him, however, Asura would find it difficult to continue rolling at top speed. Doing so while eating, after all, would normally make one nauseous, right? As he called back at Momma Slime, she made no reply--but if the truth were known, she had rolled past Ed because her mass was too large and going to fast to make such a split-second stop.

The two living pinballs continued their helter skelter until they suddenly went over a rise in the rocks--and now down below them were two more slimes, one of which both Asura and Momma recognized…

[[You, Ed, and Jason will become a new party unless you all just ignore each other. They’re both within sight of you and you can hear/see most of what they’re doing.]]

@Guy0fV4lor @Kazemitsu

After a brief moment of contemplating Ed made a resolve. 'I'm not.' He looks away from his reflection and upwards to the ceiling. 'I am me.' He feels a sense of pride and solace inside of him well up. 'The very same Edward dwells within this body!' He stands on his hind legs. 'And. I. Am. No. Monster.' He remembers the pixie he had spared earlier; Ed had willingly resisted the beastly instincts that made him want to kill the pixie. The sight of the pixie would assure Ed that he was still himself and not some wild monster he could not reign in.

He turns to see the still living pixie. The pixie in question was then promptly crushed and absorbed by a seemingly random rapidly rolling rouge colored slime.

Ed stood frozen in shock of the sight, jaw dropped in disbelief.

Asura continued going at a good clip. He only slowed due to the added weight of the pixie, even though it was fairly light. He saw the dire rat look shocked, disbelief in its eyes, which got a laugh out of Asura. He wasn't a heartless or cruel being but he had no delusions on what would happen to a very wounded tiny being that had no offensive capabilities and had no magic left to protect or heal itself. Why let the pixie suffer?

Still he rolled along and went over a ledge. Stupid ground all looked the same given the lack of actual full blown light. He landed with a squishy plop next to Jason. The slime who he had let shoot him. Without hesitation he shoved the other slime out of the way before rolling further as M.S came landing nearby. "Found mom." He stated simply while staying between the two slimes. He relayed that Jason wasn't food or another slime for assimilation.

@Guy0fV4lor@Searat

---

"Not quite." Ash replied to Danny, in a more friendly tone. If he wasn't going to be hostile, then she had no reason to be either, after all. "Just stay quiet. I'm trying something here. Go make sure that pixie doesn't get into trouble, though. He hasn't eaten anything in awhile." Turning her attention back to the lizard, Ash carefully approached. It was easy to note the scars and battle marks on it. Probably had taken a beating at some point, but they had already healed over so it had likely been awhile. Long enough to heal, anyways. How should she go about this? She really had no clue how to even begin. Well, she had some ideas - animals respected strength, right? Since it didn't seem overly hostile now perhaps she could...'talk' to it in a more normal sense? They were both lizards, and it wouldn't be her first time sending vague instructions or intent to others.

"Hello..." She began slowly, trying to use her Charisma skill here in perhaps a way the Lizard would understand. She hadn't yet deactivated the Overwork skill, despite her body's obviously growing fatigue. She wanted to appear as non-threatening as possible for this little maneuver. What was that...speak softly but carry a big stick? Something like that by some president. She was certain she could handle this single lizard and subdue him if he was violent, but peaceful solutions to this were always preferable.

"I give you two options, lizard." She wasn't sure if it could even understand her, but hopefully her intent would get through to it through her body language. She sat idly on the ground just a few feet from it, hoping none of the others interfered. Her eyes glanced over the scars and collar around the lizards neck before focusing on it again. "Join me and never be captured like that again - or stay by yourself and die."

She was ready to defend herself and any of the others if need be, but she hoped it wouldn't come to that.

@Zeroth @Rune_Alchemist @ghastlyInc @CollectorOfMyst

While Danny was surprised that he got a skill and was sure it meant he could develop others, his attention was still on the talking Lizard. Luckily she? seemed to accept his explanation and gave him a job to do. He flew to the dead Goblins and remembered that a former starving person shouldn't eat a lot the first few days, or it might cause trouble of some kind.

Since he didn't want to scare the Pixie and thus cause a fight after all, he stopped to yell at it from a distance. "Hey there, the talking Lizard sent me to check up on you." With that done he resumed his approach and quickly noticed that the winged human probably was eating too fast for his own good. "Whoa slow down. I heard you're hungry but I think you can get serious sick from eating too much after you had nothing for a while."

Danny thought things over, he didn't like the idea of eating a sentient creature but he also couldn't just live on healing herbs. Picking a body part on the other side of the Goblin he tried a small piece and instantly regretted it to due to the taste, he kept eating until he had enough though. With that done he gave in to his curiosity and used Monster Analysis I.

---

@Zeroth@Kazemitsu@Searat

Not Me many idea Me not know. Almost too much. But eat Big? Big like--

Just as Jason finally seemed to be getting somewhere with this slime, his efforts had suddenly proved all for naught.

BIG COMING VERY BIG HURT ME ME GO!

"Wait! Me protect Not Me!-" Jason began to protest as the other slime jerked away. The other slime now hastily flopping away, Jason began to notice the rolling noises behind him.

Swiftly whipping around to face the sound, Jason readied a [Stone Shot I], his body rippling aggressively. "I AM NOT ONE TO BE TRIFLED WITH" he proclaimed using [Warcry I], hoping to intimidate the oncoming threat.

Only to realize it was just the red slime from earlier. Relaxing his aggressive posture, and cancelling his [Stone Shot I]. "It is good to see you my friend! I do not believe we exchanged names earlier, I am Jason-- What the hell is that!?!!?!" He exclaimed as a massive blue form appeared behind his friend.

"Found Mom."

Was that giant blue blob the slime that spawned them? If so, the two slimes now had a powerful new ally. Now in the presence of another former human, Jason felt incredibly safe. Suddenly, a thought struck his mind. When he levelled up, there were analysis skills for both plants, and materials in development. Since such skills existed, would that not mean there was analysis skills for monsters as well as magic?

Another idea struck Jason, if the slime telepathic communication is a naturally occurring skill, would it not manifest naturally as well? "Hold still, and try to relax, I'm going to try something." Jason said as he touched Asura with a single pseudopod. "This may feel a little strange at first, but tell me if you notice anything on a mental level."

For several seconds, Jason channeled [Tremor Sense I] into Asura's body. After that, he cleared his mind and began to meditate; mentally searching for any sort of 'connection' between the two of them.

As the jade lizard withdrew his dagger-like teeth from the pryromaniac's ankle, the potent taste of foul metallic blood and flesh fresh in Orochi's maw. Much to his delight it seemed that Crispy was no longer moving. Had he done it? Did his utterly idiotic and reckless plan actually work? The goblin was down on a knee and covering his vitals... truly unfortunate for Orochi. He begun pacing closer to his now immobile target, checking the Greenskin for any vulnerabilities.

Right, he knows to cover his weakspots... Okay then, I'll just cripple his legs, can't do much if he ca-

Though before he could finish that thought, a sharp, acute pain ripped through the lizard's scaly flank. Reflexively, Orochi jumped away from the unknown attack, avoiding some of the force behind the blow thanks to Oberon's magic. Though now he bore a somewhat unsightly gash on the right side of his chest. The lizard whirled around and looked upon his aggressor with slitted scarlet eyes full of seething fury, a pained and angry hiss escaping his mouth. A little Goblin girl, wielding a weapon much more advanced than the others had struck him. In other circumstances, Orochi might have wondered just how a young Goblin could get the drop on him like that. Yet at the moment all Orochi could think of was how she had injured him.

And how badly he now wanted to return the favour. He didn't know where this prideful desire was springing from, but he knew that he would hurt her, maim her for what she had done! The sword wielding Goblin was trying to help Crispy get away! Though in doing so she'd turned her back on the scorned lizard... it was the prime opportunity to exact some revenge. Filling his jaw with acid Orochi launched the caustic blob at the pair of retreating goblins, before turning his focus to the other monsters in the area. Mourningstar, Digbie, and another lizard Orochi couldn't identify from his current position seemed to be faring well against one of the Goblins. Though now Digbie had caught the ire of another...

Go after the Goblin brat or save Digbie's skin... he thought to himself as he looked over both of his possible targets. If Crispy managed to recover as he was taking revenge it could mean serious trouble for Orochi, there was no such risk in helping his Goblin ally. Orochi sped towards Digbie, cursing under his breath as he looked upon his aggressor one last time, trying to commit her appearance to memory. He'd get revenge, just not yet.... The jade lizard approached the hostile Goblin from behind, his focus hopefully on Digbie still. Preparing himself for a moment, Orochi flashed as much of a grin his body was capable of towards Digbie, before he shot towards their opponent. He ran up the aggressor's leg, using his claws to dig in to the verdant flesh as he ascended past the torso and shoulder. Before attempting to firmly plant his fangs in the Goblin's neck and take him out of the fight with a healthy dose of neurotoxins.

@Zeroth@Lucius Cypher@Gardevoiran@ReusableSword@floodtalon@Old Amsterdam@King Cosmos

---

Rain's tongue flicked over her blood covered maw, turning her attention to the shouting one nearby she'd poisoned and
-

Oh. That lizard who had gotten Crispy was attacking it.

Good.

She turned to look at the Goblin clutching his throat, the last immediate threat.

They'd hurt her. She would kill them for that.

She darted forward, spending some precious stamina to remain silent, a dart instead of a bullet. [Muffle II]

She would bite into his leg, continue her momentum and topple the bastard. With his hands attempting to stem the blood flowing from his neck, it should be easier. Right?

Either way, she was going to be tearing at his neck. Even if she had to rip his arms off.

Not that she couldn't just get to the side or back of his neck, possibly.

"Die!" she hissed with malice.

---

Digbie was ready to wallop the goblin who insulted him with his curved rock, but he was pleasantly surprised when he found Orochi there, saving his kiester! Good lizard, he was. Digbie could feel something forming in Orochi and him, whether it was a sense of trust or not. It was honest, if anything. That was besides the point though. With everything that was happening, Digbie needed to help out in some way that wasn't just throwing rats at enemies. He was out of ammo to keep doing that.

Then Digbie noticed it. The goblin that was dying, he dropped the pick! Then there was also the flaming goblin who was slowly coming to his senses. Within an instant, Digbie understood what he wanted to do.

Equipping his <Stone Spike^TM>, Digbie ran forward with the weapon trailing behind him like a massive sword. It clearly wasn't, but he was wielding it like it was. The goblin ran forward and made a stupid split-second decision. He heaved the spike over his shoulder and javelined it at Crispy, aiming for his torso and trying to knock the wind out of him. If that worked, then he'd be down for a few more seconds and it'd be a valuable use of his tool. Meanwhile, his main target was in his sights, next to that other lizard. The ultimate digging tool was there, and Digbie needed it more than anything at that moment. He needed more inventory, of course, but since he no longer had the <Stone Spike^TM>, he could get the pickaxe. He ran for it to pick it up, and hopefully he didn't fumble the grab.

Thankfully, he didn't, and Digbie was delighted to receive and equip the <Woodland Pick^TM>! A valuable digging tool for his arsenal!

Run. That's the only thing that matters now. Well, running and surviving. No point running if you're just going to die. If this was just one, two, or even three lizards, Orchid would have stayed and fight. But this wasn't just a small skirmish. It was an ambush. Orchid wasn't sure if these people were watching them and waiting or if they all simply got lucky, but to attack Crispy while he was more-or-less by himself surely wasn't dumb luck. Indeed, if Orchid was more capable, she would have attacked him around the same time. However until she learned fire magic, Crispy couldn't die. Not yet.

Orchid was able to pick up the pyromancer and drag him away fairly easily for a goblin thanks to her greater-than-average strength, and being empowered by fear and panic. Adrenaline was one hell of a drug. But that wasn't just to say she was only stronger; now knowing just how out classed they were, Orchid also made sure to be aware of her surroundings. That's when she heard something being hurled towards them. Orchid didn't get a good look and simply acted on reflex; blindly swinging her sword backwards hoping to intercept the projectile. If she had dropped Crispy and swung with both hands, perhaps her attempt at deflection would have gone better. But in her rush, she had tried to do too many things at once, and many things happened all at once.

First Orchid saw what was being flung at Crispy and her; a large stone spike. larger than a rock, it looked more like a stalagmite was about to fall on them. Even so, Orchid followed through with her deflection. Or rather, her sacrifice. Her sword, which she already knew was ramshackle at best, was able to stop the stone from continuing forward and harming herself or Crispy. But at the cost of the blade itself; it stained under the weight of the rock before exploding into bone shards and splinters. It showered Orchid and stung her flesh, but otherwise didn't really cause any lasting harm. However it did deprive her of what she had hoped would be her masterpiece. But no time for tears; if she tried to fix it now or get vengeance she'll just die. Orchid could make a new one; a better one. But only if she survives.

Now effectively weaponless save for perhaps a few rocks in her back, Orchid hasten herself and carried Crispy with her full strength, leaving the bonfire to find the other goblins. Finding them shouldn't be hard; there was giant footprints on the ground, and surely the other monsters wouldn't try to attack an entire gang of goblins now that they've lost the element of surprise. Orchid tried not to think too hard about how the others might react to the fact she just arrived to the bonfire when it got attacked; she could probably make up a good story. Say how saving Crispy was more important than dying for a bonfire. If nothing else, maybe she could promise to make a weapon for the boss to remain in his good graces. Just long enough for Orchid to learn what she wanted.

Regardless it was time to run and fight another day. Such is the way of the goblins.